Greater Greater Washington: The fate of two trail projects in southeast DC is too uncertain

Photo via Greater Greater Washington.

From Greater Greater Washington:

Some residents of Ward 7 and Ward 8 have, for decades, called for safer places to walk and bike. Two trails have been at the center of that effort: the Suitland Parkway trail, a nearly two-mile, paved but swiftly deteriorating trail running along Suitland Parkway, and the Shepherd Branch Trail, which—if built—would transform an unused rail line into a three-mile shared-use path.

Those residents’ hard work could face additional years of delay depending on final decisions from the DC Council about funding for the next fiscal year. Without funding, the trail projects could continue to languish, falling deeper into disrepair and poor conditions. If funded, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) can take the next steps in the many-years-long process to begin transform these projects.